The Wise Men.
NOW, when this wondrous babe was born
Into his low estate,
Another strange event occurred,
Which Scripture doth relate.
There dwelt, far off, in eastern land,
Wise men devout and good
Who nature's grandest mysteries
Revered and understood.
One night as eagerly they scanned
The splendors of the sky,
They saw a new, strange star appear
Among the worlds on high;
And said it came thus suddenly
Important news to bring—
The sign that Balaam had foretold—
Of Israel's glorious King.
And when they reached Jerusalem,
"Where is your King?" they said,
"For we have come to worship Him,
And by his star were led."
This question greatly troubled
Proud Herod, on the throne,
For, in the land of Judah,
He would be King alone.
At once he called the priests and scribes,
Demanding they should tell
In what place had it been foretold
That Christ should come to dwell.
And readily they answered—
Nor waited to take note—
"In Bethlehem of Judea,"
For thus the prophet wrote:
"Thou Bethlehem, in Judah's land,
Art not 'mongst princes small;
For out of thee shall come a Prince
And rule my people all."
Then Herod for the wise men called,
And, with foreboding fear,
He bade them tell him just what time
The star did first appear;
And said: "Go search in Bethlehem,
And when the babe you find,
I, too, will come and worship Him,
For thus I am inclined."
The wise men were rejoiced to see
The radiant star once more,
And gladly followed, as it led
The way to Joseph's door.
They opened, then, their treasures,
Gold, frankincense and myrrh—
Fit offering to a Prince Divine,
From reverent worshipper—
And joyfully bestowed their gifts
Upon the Son of Man—
And thus the custom, since observed,
Of Christmas gifts began.
The wise men to their lodging went,
For rest and sleep, that night;
But God came to them in a dream,
Before the morning light;
And said, "To Herod ye shall not return,
Nor tell my Son's abode."
And so returning to their home,
They took a different road.